Steam electric radiator



Sept. 5, 1950 Filed April 11, 1947 M. mm.. 2,521,173

STEAM ELECTRIC RADIATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L//VE /V/oRR/s Kamal.

BY I j ATTORNEY M. KORAL STEAM ELECTRIC RADIATOR Sept. 5, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1947 A we.

gsi INVENTOR.

MoH/ws KOR/4L BY QAQ/ A TTORNEY I Sept. 5, 1950 M. KoRAL. V 2,521,173

STEAM ELECTRIC RADIATOR Filed April 1l, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 r ORA/EY x Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNIT ED S TATES PATENT OF F ICE STEAMELECTRIC RADIATOR Morris Koral, New York, N g Y.

Application Aprilll, 1947, Serial No. 740,791

1 Claim. 1

LThis invention relates generally to heating apparatus and more particularly to a steami electric radiator.

In locations where heating of the interiors of rooms or similar structures is only intermittently required, the portability of heating equipment is of great value. In accordance with the present invention heat may be supplied comparable in nature to that provided by central steam heating plants with a considerably reduced initial cost. Since in the present device electricity is used as a source of energy, the thermo unit cost of which is greater than that supplied by the combustion of fuels of the usual nature, it is of importance that the device convert the electric energy-into usable heat with a maximum eiiiciency and that such heat conversion be under constant control to provide or comfort and economy.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention, to provide a'novel and highly useful steam electric radiator which is highly portable and convenient in use, requiring principally the connection of its electrical energy supply cord to a suitable convenient outlet or source of current.

Another object herein lies in the provisionof the device of the character described which requires a minimum of attention when in operation, and also when not operated.

Another object herein Vlies in the provision of v a steam electric radiator which may have a high heat transfer eiiiciency and yet which maybe of such compact size that the same may be easily fitted in with respect to other furnishings in a room (even Where ordinary radiators are in place), and Ymay occupy a minimum o f ,floor space when stored during periods of non-use.

Another object herein lies in the provision -oi .a device of the class described in which the parts are compactly arranged, and are properly protected against accidental damage during shipment from factory to user and during use.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appendedclaim.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a presently preferred embodiment ci` the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the control housing With the covell plate opened and drawn to one side.

Figure 3 is an electrical schematic diagram.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of the device shown in Figure l.

Figure 5 isa front elevational View partly in section' of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is an end elevational view, as seen from the right of Figure 5 with the cover plate open and drawn to one side.

Figure 7- is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seenr from the plane I-'I on Figure 5.

'In'accordance with the invention the steam electricA radiator generally indi-cated by reference character I0 includes the main radiating element rI I, the rauxiliary radiating element I2., mounting bases lI3 and I4,rol1ing support means IiiV and'circuit controlling means I6.

The Vmain radiatingelement `Il may be composed of a plurality of spaced and lparallel steam radiator sections I'I. These sections are preferably provided with upper and lower intercommunicating rpassagesl I8 and I9, and the sections areY maintained in operative connection in any wellknown marmer; for example, by the usual tie rcds'notshown). Thus the passages I8 and I9 are formed by the aligned `orifices, in the radiatorsectons I1. The sections I'I are preferably of the'skeleton type so that a maximum of radiation area isr provided. The end sections 2A and 25 Vareprovidedwith pairs of legs 2B, and 26a, which are secured to the mounting bases I3 and I4 respectively. Therolling support means I5 may be in the form of swivel casters.

'The end section 24 is provided with an inlet 21 for liquid. The'inletZ'I includes 'an elbow 28 anda detachably engageable cover block 29. The elbow 28 is so vertically positioned/online end section A'lll so that whenthe liquid Aused in the radiator is at the desired level, it rea-chei'ssubstantiallyto the open upper Yedge ofthe inlet 2l. In this manner the level of the liquid in the radiator Il) may be observed even though the walls of the sections are opaque.

At the uppermost portion of the section 24 there is provided a pressure relief valvell. This valve may be of a well known type either spring actuated, or with ya rubber cover, or with a fusible metal plug. The relief valve 3IJ isset at a predetermined value which it is desired that the steam-pressure within the radiatorshall not eX- ceed. Thus in the event of failure of the thermostat, overheating will cause excessv steam pressure which will open the relief valve 3D until sufficient water has been evaporated so thatthe pressure no longerk exceeds the desired value. By this construction, even'if the radiator is accidently left on and the thermostat should fail, safety is assured.

The auxiliary radiating element and control housing |2 is secured in contact with the outermost surfaces 3| and 32 of the end section 25. The element 2 is of generally box-like configuration and includes a top wall 34, a bottom wall 35, and side walls 36 and 31. The free edges of the side walls 36 and 31 have inwardly bent flanges 38 and 39. The cover plate 49 is substantially planar with the exception of the heat entrance louvres 4| and 42 and the heat exit louvres 43. The plate 40 is maintained in detachable connection with the flanges 38 and 39 by means of screws 44 which engage correspondingly positioned orifices 45 in the flanges 38 and 39.

The circuit controlling means I6 includes an indicator 50 which may have the form of a pilot light, a main switch 5|, a thermostat 52, terminal blocks 53 and 54 and conductors.

The heating element 69 is preferably of a type in which an electrical resistance element 41 is encased within refractory material covered by a metallic casing 6|, so that the resistance element is protected from oxidation while it is operating at elevated temperatures.

Surrounding the casing 6| is a water resistant casing adapted to protect the heating element 60 from any undesirable eifects produced by the water in the radiator. At the electrical terminal end 63 of the heater element 60 the same is provided with mounting means adapted to engage the inner wall 33 of the housing and also to make a water tight connection with the lower outer portion of the end section 25. The end 63 of the heater element 69 is provided with the terminal block 54 by means of which contact is made to the resistance element therein.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 the line is connected by means of the conductors 19 and 1| to the posts l2 and 13 on the terminal block 53, From the post 12 a conductor 14 travels to the switch 5| thence via conductor 15 to the terminal 16 of the thermostat 52. Leaving the terminal 'l1 of said thermostat, a conductor 18 travels to the indicator 50. From the indicator 50 one conductor 19 goes to the terminal 13, while the other conductor goes to the terminal 8| on the terminal block 53. Leaving the binding post 8| a conductor 92 goes to the terminal block 54 to connect through the post 83 to the resistance element. 'Ihe resistance element is indicated by reference character 41 and is disposed within the heater element 60 as has been previously described. The opposite end of the resistance element 41 is connected through the post 84 through the conductor 85 to the terminal 13 previously described.

By virtue of the above described circuit when the switch 5| is closed, below a predetermined temperature the thermostat 52 closes the circuit to the indicator 50 and to the heater element Si! and thence to the return to the line. When the thermostat reaches the predetermined temperature, it opens the circuit indicator, in this case the pilot light becomes extinguished and current is prevented from flowing to the heater element. The thermostat may have an element not shown which is sensitized to heat and which is disposed within the steam chamber 9 within the radiator I0 or the thermostat may be actuated by heat which is conducted to it through the wall 33 upon which said thermostat is mounted.

By virtue of the fact that the auxiliary radiating element or housing I2 is thermally connected to the main radiator heat from the main radiator element is conducted to the auxiliary radiating element. The conduction of this heat may be facilitated by the use of copper or other heat conducting metal gaskets at points of connection where a seal is desired. The heat from the heater element thus travels by direct conduction where there is contact to the main radiator and to the auxiliary radiator and also through the water which is in the chamber within the main radiator element which upon being converted to steam heats the upper portion of the main radiator and thence by conduction, heat is transmitted to the auxiliary radiating element I2.

Relatively colder air may enter the auxiliary radiating element I2 through the louvres 42 and 4| and travel upwardly to emerge at an elevated temperature through the louvres 43. This movement of and the heating of the air is obtained by the convection flue eilect of the auxiliary radiating element l2, Furthermore, the movement of the room air taken as it is from a point close to the floor or other surface upon which the rolling support means l5 are resting has a tempering effect upon the thermostat 52 which is located in the convection ilue |00. This effect is of value since without it the thermostat would tend to cut off current to the heater element during a greater period while the room or other enclosure within which the device l0 is being used is first warming up. Thus when the device l0 is placed in a cold room and the switch 5| is closed as soon as the radiator itself reaches the predetermined temperature, the thermostat would cut the current off. Owing to the cooling eifect of the air current in the flue the radiator may temporarily reach a higher eiective temperature while the room is rst warming up. After the room has reached the desired ternperature, the warm air current through the convection iiue has a moderating effect upon the thermostat so that it reflects more closely the room air temperature in controlling the current reaching the heater element. Y

The auxiliary radiating element |2 also acts as a physical protection for the thermostat and also encloses the electrical wiring so as to protect the same and also protect the user from contact therewith. Not only is this protection afforded to the parts when the device is installed and when in operation, but also the protection is afforded while the device is in shipment from the factory to the user.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5-7 inclusive for the purpose of avoiding any unnecessary repetition, parts corresponding to those of the rst embodiment are give the same reference characters with the addition of the numeral I as a prex.

The principal difference existing between the second embodiment and the prior described embodiment lies in the fact that the inner wall |33, the top wall |34, the bottom Wall I 35 and the side walls |36 and |31 of the auxiliary radiating element l2 are integral with the main radiating element The flanges |38 and |39 are extended to become annular so that a flange portion is disposed at the upper and lower extremities of the opening within which the cover or panel 40 has a recess fit. The louvres |43 and |42 are flush openings in the cover 40 so that the convection flue |99 may have a similar action to that previously described upon the thermostat.

It may thus be seen that I have disclosed a novel and useful electric steam radiator. My improved radiator is compact and efficient and highly portable. Means are provided for relatively quickly heating a cold enclosure Within which the radiator may be used and for feeding power to said radiator to accommodate for the room air temperature changes.

By virtue of the fact that the electrical energy is used to convert water to steam a relatively steady heating effect is obtained even though the power consumption is intermittent. The parts requiring protection are substantially enclosed for the protection of these parts and of the user against electrical shock. Further fragile parts are protected so that a minimum of crating is required when my electric steam radiator is shipped from factory to user. Means are provided for the protection of extensive steam pressure and visible means are provided to determine the proper height of liquid in the boiler portions of my device.

I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skiled in the art.

I claim:

A steam electric radiator comprising: a main radiating element in the form of a closed hollow vessel forming a boiler; a heating element positioned within said boiler so as to heat said water by conduction and radiation; an auxiliary heat radiating element in the form of a substantially hollow housing having a removable cover, said housing being in contact with said main radiating element; a thermostat disposed within said housing and in conductive relation to said boiler, said housing having an exit opening at the upper `portion thereof and an entrance opening at the lower portion thereof forming a convection flue for the passage of room air therethrough; said thermostat being disposed in the electrical circuit with said heater element and a source of power, thermostat being disposed in the path of the air current produced within the convection nue; whereby said thermostat may be acted upon by heat in the boiler and heat in the air passing through the convection flue within the housing.

MORRIS KORAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT Number Name Date 1,728,309 Shreeve et al Sept. 17, 1929 1,788,515 Gannon 1 Jan. 13, 1931 2,060,795 Burke Nov. 17, 1936 2,128,809 Fogg Aug. 30, 1938 2,186,643 Mullin Nov. 21, 1939 

